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Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Lead author Professor Shira Gabriel, a psychiatrist at Buffalo University in New York, said: “I strongly believe Donald Trump would not be President if it weren’t for his being on The Apprentice and The Celebrity Apprentice.

“It’s not the only factor – but this was a close election and knowing what I know about the strength of parasocial relationships and based on what we found through this research I believe he wouldn’t be in office if it weren’t for these television shows.”

An expert in parasocial relationships after researching them for a decade, she says they are real to people – and have actual psychological outcomes.

Prof Gabriel said: “Viewers feel like we know these people when in a parasocial relationship.

“They feel interested in their lives and feel happy when good things happen to them.“Logically that doesn’t make sense – but we still feel connected to them when we spend time with them – and it’s a relatively healthy and common thing to do.”….

Interesting that Oprah was being floated as a possible alternative to Trump until she shot it down.

I think it's broader than that. Playing an authority figure on "reality" TV was enough to make Trump a viable candidate. Playing the same role as a candidate, putting his opponents down, gave him a competitive advantage. So probably his role on "The Apprentice" was the most significant factor in Trump's election victory, but it was not the only one. Trump's election was still a fluke.

“It’s not the only factor – but this was a close election and knowing what I know about the strength of parasocial relationships and based on what we found through this research I believe he wouldn’t be in office if it weren’t for these television shows.”

Plenty of people HATE "progressives" 24/7 and blame them for most everything. Trump just drew them out. They were thirsty for ANY non-PC message and the powers that be couldn't hide or suppress Trump's existence or statements.

BTW, are you folks aware that Twitter has banned the marvelous (on foreign policy) lefty feminist Caitlin Johnstone for defending herself against claims that she's paid by the "alt-right" due to her Ron Paul-like foreign policy positions? How can I get paid by the "alt-right"?